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About Town | 4-12-14

Accelerator project receives state funding

The state of Hawaii has committed $1.2 million through the HI Growth Initiative to the GVS Transmedia Accelerator, a new accelerator program for businesses across multiple creative media platforms in the entertainment sector, according to the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp.

The funds will be used to match monies from Hawaii County to support the accelerator’s program, which will be the anchor activity of Honua Studios.

A private investor group will also co-invest with HSDC in a $1 million investment program to provide seed capital to companies accepted into the GVS Transmedia Accelerator.

The GVS Transmedia Accelerator will accept six entrepreneurs each year into the intensive, hands-on program and provide them with the seed capital needed to develop an investable business. The goal at the end of the program is to successfully raise the follow-on financing needed to execute their businesses.

A key aspect of the program is the ability to work with other entrepreneurs in a shared production workspace in Kailua-Kona and to work with leading entertainment industry executives and experts as coaches and mentors.

Entrepreneurs who qualify can have ideas from films, to direct-to-web series, to interactive e-books. An investment of $50,000 will be provided to each entrepreneur selected in exchange for 10 percent equity in the business.

The GVS Transmedia Accelerator is accepting applications and is slated to begin its first cohort in June. For more information, visit globalvirtualstudio.com or contact Justin Torrence at j.torrence@globalvirtualstudio.com.

The post offices will have blue collection boxes labeled with special bright orange signs indicating Tax Mail Drop – Final Pick-Up Midnight. Tax forms with correct postage deposited in those specially designated boxes and slots by midnight will receive April 15 postmarks.

Walk retraces

Jesus’ steps during Passion Week

Grace Community Church invites the community to experience Passion Week through the “Way of the Cross,” a retracing of Jesus’ steps from the garden to the tomb. Eight stops along the way will help participants reflect on key biblical moments leading up to the burial. An authentic garden tomb awaits each pilgrim at the end of the journey.

The tour is being offered from sunrise to sunset from Palm Sunday to Easter morning. The self-guided tour is as short or long as a person prefers to make it and will be held at Grace Community Church, 74-4889 Palani Road.

Call 326-9580 or visit gracekona.org for more information.

Pa‘u princesses sought for parade

The North Kohala Kamehameha Day Committee is looking for women interested in being pa‘u princesses this year. Each of the eight Hawaiian Islands is represented by a princess wearing her island’s colors.

The committee is also looking for people who would like to ride as private mounted equestrian units. Pa‘u riders and private equestrian units can be from any part of the Big Island.

There is still space for parade float entries. The parade entries should be hoofs and wheels only. (No walkers).

Anyone interested in joining the parade should contact Kay Aldrich at kay.aldrich@yahoo.com or 541-778-2642.

For more information and the full schedule of activities, visit kamehamehaday celebration.org.

Archery classes

begin Wednesday

The Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Department is registering participants for a beginners/intermediate archery class for children 9 to 14 years old.

Two classes are held from 3 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at Hale Halawai. Registration runs through Tuesday, with classes starting Wednesday. Classes run for three weeks.

The classes are free of charge, but participants are asked to donate large packs of balloons, which will be used as targets. The county will provide all equipment and supplies. Participants may bring their own equipment, which must be approved by the recreation director.